Charges mulled in soccer coach death

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah prosecutor said he plans to decide soon what charges to file against a teenager accused of punching a soccer referee who later died after slipping into a weeklong coma.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said he and other officials are reviewing evidence and state statutes to determine the appropriate charges, which he expects to announce by midweek.

The teen is in juvenile detention on suspicion of aggravated assault.

MVP voter explains decision

MIAMI (AP) — The writer who did not choose the Miami Heat’s LeBron James as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player believes Carmelo Anthony “meant more to his team” this season.

Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe said the Knicks would not have made the playoffs without Anthony, while the Heat have plenty of other talent besides James. Washburn said his vote was “no LeBron conspiracy.”

James collected 120 of 121 first-place votes. The NBA has never had a unanimous MVP.

A-Rod returns to the field

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rodriguez was back on the field for the first time since having surgery on his left hip almost four months ago.

Rodriguez joined a group of injured New York Yankees starters Monday at the team’s minor league complex. The 37-year-old third baseman ran, played catch and hit off a tee.

Rodriguez said it was “pretty exciting” and he’s “really looking forward to getting back.”

The veteran slugger had surgery Jan. 16 and could return to the Yankees after the All-Star break.

That was the gist of a petition started by some Jaguars fans, hoping President Barack Obama makes their team bring the popular quarterback to Jacksonville for a happy homecoming.

It received a few hundred signatures before being removed from the White House’s “We The People” website because “it is in violation of our Terms of Participation.” The petition stated that if the Jaguars “sign & START Tebow, home games will be sold out, sales will spike, the team will win and the fans will be happy.”

Jaguars GM David Caldwell has said he isn’t interested in adding Tebow to his team.

• MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Vikings released punter Chris Kluwe, bringing an end to his colorful and outspoken eight-year stay in Minnesota. Kluwe announced the news on Twitter shortly after meeting with Vikings GM Rick Spielman. The 31-year-old Kluwe averaged 44.4 yards per punt over his career in Minnesota.

Kings to play at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NHL said the Los Angeles Kings will host the Anaheim Ducks in an outdoor game at Dodger Stadium next January.

The Jan. 25 contest will be the NHL’s first outdoor game to be played in warmer conditions.

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA is proposing tougher sanctions against teams whose players, officials or fans are found guilty of racist or discriminatory behavior.

Those punishments may include points deductions, expulsion from competitions or relegation.

The new FIFA Task Force Against Racism and Discrimination met for the first time following several racial abuse cases in recent years. The group proposes a two-stage warning, ranging from fines and matches behind closed doors for minor offenses to more severe punishments such as points deductions or relegation for repeat offenders or more serious offenses.

The draft resolution will be presented at the FIFA Congress at the end of the month.

BEAVER (AP) — A Beaver County man has been placed on two years’ probation in the shooting of a costumed child that police said he mistook for an animal.

The Beaver County Times said Thomas Grant, 25, of Rochester, pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor simple assault and reckless endangerment counts. An aggravated assault charge in the October shooting of the 8-year